Effects of different medial arch support heights on rearfoot kinematics

Foot orthoses are usually assumed to be effective by optimizing mechanically dynamic rearfoot configuration. However, the effect from a foot orthosis on kinematics that has been demonstrated scientifically has only been marginal. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of different heights i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2017-03, Vol.12 (3), p.e0172334-e0172334
Main Authors: Wahmkow, Gunnar, Cassel, Michael, Mayer, Frank, Baur, Heiner
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Analysis
Arches
Athletes
Biology and Life Sciences
Biomechanical Phenomena
Cameras
Computer and Information Sciences
Exercise Test
Feet
Female
Fitness equipment
Foot Orthoses
Gait
Gait - physiology
Gait disorders
Humans
Infrared cameras
Injuries
Kinematics
Male
Medicine
Medicine and Health Sciences
Orthopedic appliances
Orthoses
Pain
Physical Sciences
Running
Running - physiology
Sports medicine
Studies
Tibia
Tibia - physiology
Tinea Pedis
Variance analysis
Walking
Weight-Bearing - physiology
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Summary:Foot orthoses are usually assumed to be effective by optimizing mechanically dynamic rearfoot configuration. However, the effect from a foot orthosis on kinematics that has been demonstrated scientifically has only been marginal. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of different heights in medial arch-supported foot orthoses on rear foot motion during gait. Nineteen asymptomatic runners (36±11years, 180±5cm, 79±10kg; 41±22km/week) participated in the study. Trials were recorded at 3.1 mph (5 km/h) on a treadmill. Athletes walked barefoot and with 4 different not customized medial arch-supported foot orthoses of various arch heights (N:0 mm, M:30 mm, H:35 mm, E:40mm). Six infrared cameras and the `Oxford Foot Model´ were used to capture motion. The average stride in each condition was calculated from 50 gait cycles per condition. Eversion excursion and internal tibia rotation were analyzed. Descriptive statistics included calculating the mean ± SD and 95% CIs. Group differences by condition were analyzed by one factor (foot orthoses) repeated measures ANOVA (α = 0.05). Eversion excursion revealed the lowest values for N and highest for H (B:4.6°±2.2°; 95% CI [3.1;6.2]/N:4.0°±1.7°; [2.9;5.2]/M:5.2°±2.6°; [3.6;6.8]/H:6.2°±3.3°; [4.0;8.5]/E:5.1°±3.5°; [2.8;7.5]) (p>0.05). Range of internal tibia rotation was lowest with orthosis H and highest with E (B:13.3°±3.2°; 95% CI [11.0;15.6]/N:14.5°±7.2°; [9.2;19.6]/M:13.8°±5.0°; [10.8;16.8]/H:12.3°±4.3°; [9.0;15.6]/E:14.9°±5.0°; [11.5;18.3]) (p>0.05). Differences between conditions were small and the intrasubject variation high. Our results indicate that different arch support heights have no systematic effect on eversion excursion or the range of internal tibia rotation and therefore might not exert a crucial influence on rear foot alignment during gait.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0172334